Street Artist Maya Hayuk Sues Starbucks for Copyright Infringement Over its Frappuccino Cups
This image has been archived or removed.
Street artist Maya Hayuk is again on the legal warpath to protect her copyrights. For the second time in a year, the Brooklyn muralist is seeking damanges for infringing use of her artwork. Indeed, Hayuk already sued Sara Bareilles (i.e. Sony/Epic) and Coach for infringement. Now, her gaze is trained toward Starbucks.
Hayuk filed a lawsuit against the chain store in Manhattan federal court for $750K in copyright penalties, plus unspecified damages.
This latest Starbucks ripoff seems rather willful. Apparently Hayuk had been in discussions with the coffee behemoth last October to add some colorful flourishes to promote “Mini Frappuccinos.” The talks broke down after eight days, and Hayuk walked away from the deal since she was too busy.
Starbucks forged ahead anyway, and tapped the services of in-house artist Jordan Kay to create a “look-alike.” According to the New York Post, the campaign “used the same abstract, radiating beams of black, white, yellow, magenta and azure that Hayuk had used in a series of five paintings.”
This image has been archived or removed.
Photo: Maya Hayuk
“Starbucks brazenly created artwork that is substantially similar to one or more of Hayuk’s copyrighted works,” the lawsuit claims.
Maya Hayuk painted the Bowery graffiti wall in February 2014.
Recent Stories
Developer Begins Demolition of Rutgers Street Playground for Temporary Parking Lot
Demolition work began this week on a Lower East Side park that is a focal point in the tension between the community and developers on the waterfront. The backhoes are out and job now underway at Rutgers Park, the small public space beside the Lands End II residential development. Removal of the playground began yesterday, including […]
The 3 Lower East Side Walk-ups that Sold for $35M
Earlier this month, we reported that SMA Equities, the Long Island real estate firm with controversial history on the Lower East Side, sold a portfolio of its area properties. SMA unloaded three tenement walk-ups to Daniel Fishman of GAIA Real Estate – 102 Norfolk Street, 177 Ludlow Street, and 99 Allen Street – for an […]
H&M Debuts Pop-up Hotel on the Bowery this Weekend
Fashion retailer, H&M, is headed to the Lower East Side this week with a pop-up hotel concept. Starting tomorrow, prospective guests can access the so-called Hotel Hennes via the eponymous 3 Freeman Alley. The three-day publicity stunt will be open through Saturday, from 2 to 9pm. Guests will be able to check in for an […]
Sneakerhead Arrested for Knifing Customer at Hypebeast ‘HBX’ Opening on Division Street
A watershed moment for Hypebeast transformed into a melee on the Lower East Side last week. The Hong Kong-based fashion and lifestyle publication on Friday officially debuted in the seven-story commercial loft building at 41-43 Division Street. Its ground-level store – dubbed HBX – attracted a queue of sneaker heads waiting for a limited edition Nike […]
Arsonist Torches Eldridge Street Beauty Parlor
Two people were injured yesterday evening after an arsonist set ablaze a beauty parlor on Eldridge Street, according to several published reports. The incident transpired shortly before 5:00pm at the Sa Sa II Beauty Salon, located at 129 Eldridge Street. Cops said the suspect poured gasoline inside the store and set it on fire. (Initial […]
